Chen Nan scored 24 points to lead the Chinese women's basketball team to defeat visiting Australia 71-64 at a friendly match?in Yixing, Jiangsu Province?on Monday.

Chen Nan also grabbed rebounds and two blocked shots in her 30 minutes playing. Her fellow Chinese Ren Lei added 16 points and Chen Xiaoli 10.

The victory was the second for the hosts out of three series matches between the two sides. China won 64-59 on Thursday before Australia outscored China 73-67 on Saturday.

Without their top stars Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor, who are playing in the WNBA, world champions Australia still proved themselves very strong to their opponents as they took a lead 21-16 in the first quarter.

China, who seated out starters Miao Lijie and Bian Lan for the second game due to injuries, came back with a 19-4 run with Re Lei's six points to built a 35-25 lead at the break.

The hosts controlled the following game and turned down a late comeback of Australia who closed the margin 58-61 with 3:14 to play.

Jennifer Scoreen had 11 points and was the only Australian to score a double-figure.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2007)